Why would he want to frustrate their growth, if he was a shareholder; that would only devalue FR's shares in the airline?
As part of this deal, EI will be replacing three (?) older A330s - the existing -300s, 'JFK, 'ORD, 'DUB or 'CRK (which?) - which explains why these aren't being refitted with new IFE.
The airline hasn't said what models the new A350s will be; I'm assuming -900s, although one of the articles I read suggested that some of the current fleet will be replaced around 2015-16, so we will probably see -800s in EI livery.
Anyway, it's great news for EI; the phrase "about bloody time" jumps to mind!
Anyone know a delivery date for the new -300, 'DUZ?